The Darkness in Dreams (Enforcer's Legacy, #1)(92)

Lexi stared at a shaft of sunlight on the floor. Her eyes blurred.

“Why?”

“Blood bonds are transformative.”

“And you needed him transformed?”

“Any Enforcer can destroy, Gaia. But an Enforcer with the capability of destroying completely, who can also wield vengeance and justice—that man can be terrifying. And I need Christan to be terrifying.”




A well-dressed man entered the living room. He was tall with short brown hair. Lexi noticed he wore red suspenders beneath his suit jacket, and he was carrying a tray with a white ceramic carafe and two cups on delicate saucers. He set the tray silently on the table. The impression he made was that of an academic, perhaps an advisor, but Lexi suspected he was something quite different. It was in the way he moved.

The music had stopped, and the weight of silence became oppressive. To distract herself, Lexi studied the bookshelves that lined one wall. Artifacts from several centuries were displayed, bits of black and red pottery, bone fetishes. Small antlers were tied with red woven cords, reminding Lexi of the driftwood, tied with red thread, which she’d kept at her cottage before it was destroyed.

Beside the antlers were books with bindings that appeared old and authentic. The dry scent of leather was tangible in the air.

“Do you like books?” Three asked.

“I see you have several on alchemy.”

“I was one of the original alchemists.”

“Christan said he was created.”

The immortal nodded “The theories were mine, as was the Agreement. The magic was Two’s area of expertise.”

Three reached for the carafe. From the aroma, it was coffee and the immortal poured two cups, asking if Lexi desired cream or sugar. Yes, to the cream, Lexi nodded. No to the sugar. It was all quite civilized. The woman handed over the cup and explained how the murder instilled fear in the Calata and they’d demanded some means for self-protection. But it was risky magic, Three said as she lifted her cup to her lips. The alchemists were creating a new species, half-immortal and half-human. They were careful with the knowledge. Lexi remembered Marge saying the magic was too dangerous to be left in the world.

“Did you destroy the magic, or is it hidden?”

No answer.

“Surely you can fight with human weapons and mercenaries. You don’t need warriors.”

“Humans have become quite imaginative with their killing,” agreed Three. But warriors possessed unique talents that couldn’t be replaced with robots and drones. Enforcers like Christan were essential. They kept the peace in an immortal society notoriously difficult to control. Without control, Three explained, there would be chaos. Since the beginning, there had been those who wanted power. Enforcers were required to put the rebellions down. No other beings possessed the power, other than Calata—and even then, there was some question now that the blood bond had been performed. The explanation was given with the bite of winter lost in an interim world. Lexi found it unnerving.

“You always anticipated needing Christan to be more powerful than he was.”

The immortal nodded. “The threat is complex and simple at the same time. Power is balanced on the Calata, but I realized the day would come when one member would want more power than the others. You understand the Agreement is weakening. We believe these attacks on the girls are designed to draw out our Enforcers, to destroy them.”

“Wouldn’t that be an attack on all the Calata?”

Three made a dismissive gesture. “Not all warriors mated, particularly those serving the male members of the Calata. They felt it wasn’t advantageous.”

“Then these attacks are aimed directly at you?”

“One has also suffered attacks. I believe even Two’s girls have been attacked. I couldn’t protect them all and fight a war without bringing Christan back. The only question was whether you were worth the risk.”

“Because he hated me?”

“Because you look too much like Gemma. You remind him of something that is not true, yet he believes it as fiercely as he denies every argument I make. I knew he would never agree to anything if you were involved. I took the risk that your guilt over what Gemma did would drive you to make amends, to the extent of saving his life.”

Lexi glanced down and brushed one finger across the new memory line. Gemma’s line, entwined around the others. “You used me.”

Three nodded. “When I forced Christan to commit to the Agreement, I was using you. I did the same thing after forcing him from the Void. I’m using you now by keeping you here and I’ll continue to use you if necessary. I’ve used all the girls.”

“Do you even consider what Christan wants?”

“I’m quite fond of him.”

“You’ve asked him to do horrendous things.”

“He has always accepted the necessity.”

The immortal replaced her cup on the tray and rose to her feet. She walked to the windows. Beyond the thick glass, the water in the bay reflected moving shards of silver light. The weather was changing. Clouds were massing on the horizon. Seabirds cried in the distance.

“You believe he now seeks redemption?” Three asked. “For these sins I’ve forced him to commit?”

“Why did Christan go into the Void?”

“He has not told you?”